Security Levels

Welcome to the U.S. Coast Guard
Personnel Service Division (de) Web site

Our Purpose:

Ensure equitable
application of the provisions of the Title 10, United States Code, Chapter
61, which relate to the separation or retirement of military personnel by
reason of physical disability. Most information about our program can be
found within the respective category show on the left side of out Webpage.

Background:

Like the other Armed
Services, the Coast Guard is required by Congress to maintain a disability
evaluation system. The objectives of the system are to:

Maintain an effective and fit
military organization with maximum use of available manpower.

Provide benefits eligible Coast Guard
members whose military service is terminated because of service-connected
disability.

Provide prompt disability processing
while ensuring that the rights and interest of the government and the
Coast Guardsman are protected.

Referral into the PDES:

A Coast Guard member
is referred into the PDES by an authorized convening authority with a
recommendation as to whether the member is medically fit for the duties of
his or her officer, grade, rank or rating.

Standard of Unfitness Because of
Physical Disability:

The mere presence of
medical impairment does not in and of itself justify a finding of
unfitness. In each case, it is necessary to compare the nature and degree
of physical disability present with requirement of the duties the Coast
Guard member may be reasonably expected to perform because of office grade,
rank or rating.